Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 29

Posted by ADMINMMADMIN, ? Views, Released on January 6, 2026

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Chapter 29 The Long Game

Finished

Ava and Jonathan had just left the Brock Residence when Elena immediately turned to her sons and eagerly asked, “Well? How did it go?”

She was genuinely curious.

Honestly, if her sons weren’t starring in this drama, she would’ve bought front row tickets to this drama just so she could find out what would happen next.

Ethan looked at Elena and naturally noticed her undisguised enthusiasm. However, he didn’t give her a straight answer. Instead, he inquired, “Mom, do you like her?”

Elena replayed her interactions with Ava before replying seriously, “Actually, yes, I do. She’s a lady through and through. She’s beautiful, poised, and gentle.

“You’d never guess she grew up in the slums from how she carries herself. She speaks and acts as though she were raised by the Morren family since she was a child. Although I have to say, she’s a bit on the quiet side…

“Then again, it’s likely because we’ve only just met.”

Then, she added, “I have to admit that she’s a lot better than your sister. That girl lives to give me headaches, I swear.”

“I also think she’s a wonderful girl, Mom.” Ethan could finally name the emotions he had been feeling ever since he saw her. She had his attention the second she showed up.

Before he met her, he had never imagined he would be the type to fall for someone at first sight. He supposed it also meant that he wasn’t a cold–hearted man; he just hadn’t met anyone who could make his heart race.

“Oh, my. What’s this? Spill, Ethan, spill!” Elena gushed.

“How did your conversation with her go?” She had been dying to see everything unfold right then and there. Alas, her identity as his mother got in the way, as it wouldn’t be proper for her to stick her nose in their business.

Ryan pouted as he complained, “Mom, what am I? Chopped liver? Ethan wasn’t the only one talking to her, you know?”

Elena rolled her eyes at him. “Oh, please. I’m your mother, and I know you more than you know yourself. You’re a walking and talking bomb. The level of patience you have might as well be in the negatives with how easily you blow up.

“You might be your father’s son, but you sure didn’t inherit a lick of his cunning. Coupled with

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Chapter 29 The Long Game

:

that mouth of yours… God, it’s already a miracle that you have fans.

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“Frankly, I was already preparing myself to face the fact that you’ll stay a single pringle forever. Luckily for you, that poor girl got herself saddled with you.”

“Mom, do you have to make me sound so horrible?” Ryan groaned as he wondered why he even bothered saying anything.

“We’ve come to an accord of sorts,” Ethan said calmly, languidly twirling the glass in his hand. “If she still feels the same way by the time she’s 26, we’ll respect her decision and end this arrangement.”

Dylan nodded approvingly. “Playing the long game, huh? That’s my boy.”

“But what if she does say no then?” Elena asked, somewhat worried about that possibility. It was obvious that Ethan was interested. As a mother, she wanted to support him however she could.

“That won’t happen,” Ethan said confidently. “She’s a good person–an emotional yet highly principled woman. The mere mention of the words ‘forced match‘ made her uncomfortable. She’s… different.”

“Is she really that special?” Dylan asked, feeling rather surprised. After all, Ethan wasn’t one to hand out compliments lightly.

“I trust my instincts,” Ethan said, setting down the glass.

His eyes went distant, seemingly recalling the features of the woman who’d just used it earlier. Sure enough, a flicker of warmth appeared in his eyes as he commented softly, “She’s very cautious, but she’s also soft–hearted.”

She might have tried to appear calm on the surface, but he could tell an overthinker when he

saw one.

All he had to do was nudge the conversation to potential consequences, and her brain did all the rest. She had immediately started worrying about the Morren family’s reputation and interests.

He had only succeeded because she’d just returned to the Morrens and didn’t quite understand the inner workings of families like theirs. She’d most likely see his ploy for what it was once her frazzled brain untangled her thoughts.

Still, he wasn’t worried.

They were living in a world where men vastly outnumbered women. So, he had to use some tactics to tilt the game and her heart to his favor. Besides, she was perfect for him. There was no way he was going to let her slip through his fingers.

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Chapter 29 The Long Game

“Well, aren’t you confident?” Dylan teased with a sly grin.

“You’re more than welcome to observe,” Ethan replied.

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He’d already achieved his first and hardest step–meeting her. What came after would be a long undertaking.

Ryan stared at him in shock. “Wait a minute! So, you said those things on purpose? This was all part of your plan, then? God, I almost believed you!”

Elena swatted his arm lightly. “With a brain like yours, you’ll never leave the starting line! Now I’m certain she would’ve dumped you if Ethan hadn’t been there with you.”

Ethan curled his lips into a slight smile as he interjected, “Mom, you don’t have to worry about Ryan. He could play to his strengths. He’s passionate, and you know what they say about shaking off passionate men! Nigh impossible.”

Dylan burst into hearty laughter. “Then, your mother and I will await both your good news.”

Suddenly, Ryan asked, “Ethan, do you think Laurent will back out?”

This time, he sounded a little jealous. At this point, he was harboring a nugget of hope that Ava’s matches would dissolve their relationship.

It was ironic because he had been the one who had made his hatred toward the forced match known very vocally right at the very beginning.

“It could go either way. Still, it’s now every man for himself from here on out,” Ethan answered.

Something flickered to life in Ryan’s eyes as he fell silent.

Ava had expected Jonathan to ask how things had gone, but he never once brought it up during their trip away from the Brock Residence. It was as if today’s visit had been nothing more than a friendly call.